obeisance

noun

Definition of obeisancenext
as in homage
a show of respect or acknowledgement of the authority or importance of another They made obeisance before the king and queen. She earned herself some political enemies when she failed to make the proper obeisance to those in power.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obeisance But as wrong-headed as the Court’s obeisance to the executive branch has been (see, for example, its 2024 ruling on Presidential immunity), that deference has its limits. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026 After a decade of seemingly supine obeisance, there is no obvious reason why the military leadership would suddenly rouse itself to oppose Xi. — Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025 But Zuckerberg isn’t the only one paying abject obeisance to the president. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 In the first case, Obama was accused of showing obeisance to a foreign ruler and Islam. — Brendan Cole shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for obeisance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obeisance
  1. homage
  2. respect
  3. salute
  4. nod
  5. bow
  6. reverence
  7. submissiveness
Noun
  • And certainly, an homage to the importance and brilliance of sea creatures.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
  • OpenAI’s lookbook for their capsule collection is an apparent homage to tastemaking brands like Kith and Aimé Leon Dore, two labels that turned laidback knitwear and box cut T-shirts into trends that saturated menswear in the last few years.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of homage
Noun
  • Each of the company’s projects in Menorca shares a deep respect for the environment, the architectural heritage of each property, and local artisans.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But for the most part Cubs and Sox fans got along and treated each other with mutual respect.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of respect
Noun
  • His hands were a nonstop party, shooting finger guns and patriotic salutes to his attendees.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And later that day, Musk stood behind the presidential seal and made a gesture much of the world read as a Nazi salute.
    — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of salute
Noun
  • Wilson celebrated his victory with family, friends and a 12-person junkanoo band that danced around the event hall, a nod to the new commissioner’s Bahamian roots.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fellow judge Howie Mandel closed out the judges’ remarks with a nod to White.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of nod
Noun
  • Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The collection was heavy on embellishments, with embroidery, crystals, bows, pearls and sequins decorating miniskirts, capri pants, jackets and more.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of bow
Noun
  • Treating French butter and flour with the reverence of a classic boulangerie is expected.
    — Carly Boers, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Bruce has come to occupy a place of singular reverence among comedians and 1st Amendment advocates.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of reverence
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness

Browse Nearby Words

obedient
obeisance
obeisant
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Obeisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obeisance. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on obeisance

Nglish: Translation of obeisance for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All